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November 3, 2010 • VOLUME 1 • Issue 41

KIDS GET A NEW LEASE ON LIFE Page 17 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

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Gold’s Gym Franchisee Speaks Out

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Wilton Manors Disgraces Citizens

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Boys in the Band

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Master Auto Body Profile

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

In the News

McCance Under Fire

FLickr / PedroGay04

Cooper and Others Respond to Suicide Call

By Joey Amato

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ollowing the outrageous remarks made by Arkansas school board member Clint McCance, the National Voices for Equality, Education, and Enlightenment (NVEEE) and other high profile individuals have called

for his resignation.

While families, organizations and schools across the country are taking action against bullying and suicide, McCance is using his Facebook page to encourage “queers” and “fags” to kill themselves.

“We tell them to hold on because things will get better” said Jowharah Sanders, Founder and Executive Director of NVEEE. “How can we promise them that things are going to get better when the very ones we entrust our children to publicly wish them dead? I am deeply saddened and appalled by his comments and can only hope that none of our children take their lives due to his lack of humanity and compassion. This was inhumane. This was disgusting. This was cyber-bullying. This needs to stop.”

McCance is a school board member

for the Midland School District in Independence County in Western Arkansas.

McCance wrote the following message on his Facebook page: “Seriously they want me to wear purple because five queers killed themselves. The only way im wearin it for them is if they all commit suicide. I cant believe the people of this world have gotten this stupid. We are honoring the fact that they sinned and killed thereselves because of their sin.

REALLY PEOPLE.” Furthermore, McCance stated, “being a fag doesn’t give you the right to ruin the rest of our lives. If you get easily offended by being called a fag then dont tell anyone you are a fag. Keep that shit to yourself. I dont care how people decide to live their lives.They dont bother me if they keep it to thereselves. It pisses me off though that we make a special purple fag day for them.”

He later added that he “liked the fact that fags can’t procreate [and] I also enjoy the fact that they often give each other AIDS and die.”

Shortly after the posts went viral, Anderson Cooper ripped into McCance, telling CNN viewers, “We think you should know his name.”

Cooper, whose older brother committed suicide in 1988, spoke in cold tones about McCance. “These are not ‘queers’ or ‘fags,’ as Mr. McCance, calls them,” said Cooper. “They are people. They are human beings. They are our fellow citizens.”

“Families are losing their children because of school bullying and here is a high level school official openly refusing to acknowledge their deaths” said Jessica Saiontz, Director of Operations for NVEEE. “It is a time of mourning for the teens who felt hopeless and couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and as a result, their lives came to a crashing halt.

Spirit Day was a day to celebrate the lives of those we’ve lost due to bullying. My only wish is that McCance would have refrained from cyber-bullying on a national day of remembrance,” she states.

NVEEE recently launched its National ‘Not on My Watch’ Anti-Bullying Campaign as part of the organization’s ongoing ‘Peace for a Day’ Campaign asking communities students, teachers, community leaders, and politicians nationwide to get involved in the efforts to end school violence by not being a bystander.

November 3, 2010 • Volume 1 • Issue 41

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You should not presume the sexual orientation of individuals based on their names or pictorial representations in SFGN, and it would be careless to do so. For the sake of readable newswriting, the word “gay” in SFGN should, when relevant, be interpreted to be inclusive of the entire gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community.

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Local News

Lauderdale Gold’s Gym Slighted by Anti-Gay Donation

By Jarrett Terrill

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his week we add one more American corporation to the list of disappointingly anti-gay companies. But unlike retail stores or restaurants, a donation to a primarily anti-gay PAC from this company caught many people by surprise. People who were blind-sided by what’s being called an “anti-gay” donation include the United States House of Representatives and the company’s own franchisees whose livelihoods depend on the marketability of a good name: Gold’s Gym. Unlike the retail giant Target, which seems unfazed by any protests or boycotts which have arisen in response to their donations, Gold’s Gym is not just angering some of their customers, but also the owners of one of their franchises here in Fort Lauderdale.

“Absolutely none of our funds will go to TRT Holdings (Gold’s corporate name) until we are satisfied that this offense is corrected to our satisfaction,” says Gold’s Gym Fort Lauderdale owner Aitor Arrieta.

“When a customer first brought their complaint to me about Robert Rowling’s political donations, I had to do some research on American Crossroads,” says Arrieta, “and what I found was very offensive to me and I hope it is offensive to you too.”

Arrieta explained to SFGN that people should be careful before staging any protests or boycotts against Gold’s Gym because it’s likely that the gym in their community is a franchise like his and would have no significant amount of their money handed to the corporation itself. However, he also expresses that the Gold’s Gym brand is on the line and he is going the extra step of challenging the corporation on their donation. “We have always done very well with the Gold’s Gym name,” he says, “up until this donation was made we never had a problem... nothing.”

While Arrieta acknowledges that Mr.

Rowling can make donations to whomever he wants, he feels that Rowling has made a donation that affects his business and offends his sensibilities. “Our gym is basically a mom & pop kind of operation,” he says.

“We are not part of the Corporate-owned Gold’s Gym which is mostly in Texas and the Midwest.” But the “good name” of the franchise Arrieta purchased doesn’t seem to hold as much value now.

He’s not the only one. Hundreds of very influential people in the US Capitol are facing the same dilemma. The Gold’s Gym corporate website boasts that the US House of Representatives is one of their clients with a Gold’s Gym Corporate Wellness Package.

Democratic members of the House witll certainly not be pleased to learn of this.

Interestingly, another fitness chain has been making donations on a similar scale for many years. The owner of Curves Fitness Centers for Women, Gary Heavin, has given millions of dollars to right-wing pro-life centers connected to Operation Save America.

OSA is a radical anti-abortion group found to have provided material support to Scott Roeder in his brutal 2009 shooting of Dr. George Tiller. The group’s Senior Policy Advisor, Cheryl Sullenger, has admitted guilt in attempting to set off a bomb at a California healthcare facility in 1998.

For the complete article on the GOP "Pledge" go to: SouthFloridaGayNews.com/golds

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

National News

Mississippi Deputy Sues Says He Was Fired for Being Gay

By Staff Reports

Corrections Charles Bolton, one of Cooley’s supervisors. After Cooley’s boyfriend told he American Civil Liberties Union Bolton that he and Cooley were in a relafiled a lawsuit last month on be- tionship, Bolton told Cooley not to return half of Andre Cooley, a correc- to work before speaking with his immediate tions officer for juvenile detainees with supervisor. The next day, Staff Sergeant of an exemplary record who was fired when Jail Operations Donnell Brannon informed his supervisors discovered that he was gay. Cooley that he was being permanently terThe lawsuit claims that Cooley’s constitu- minated. Cooley asked Brannon if he was tional rights were violated by the Forrest being fired because he was gay, and BranCounty Sheriff’s Department and his supe- non responded, “Yes.” Cooley has never received a written exrior officers. planation for his firing.

“Andre’s sexual oriThe official poentation has no bearing lice report of the incion his ability to perdent identifies Cooley as form the job of a corthe victim. After firing rections officer,” said “I loved my job, and I did it Cooley, the sheriff’s deJoshua Block, staff atwell. It shouldn’t matter partment attempted to torney with the ACLU whether I’m gay or straight” deny him unemployment Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual benefits, but an adminisand Transgender Proj– André Cooley trative law judge conect. “It is well estabcluded that the sherlished that a public employer cannot fire an employee based on iff’s department failed to show that Cooley irrational fears and prejudices against gay committed misconduct of any kind.

“I loved my job, and I did it well. people. But Andre’s case is also a reminder that people in Mississippi who work for It shouldn’t matter whether I’m gay or private companies are left almost entirely straight,” said Cooley. “Because I grew up in unprotected from anti-gay discrimination. the foster care system, I know the types of There is currently no state or federal law problems faced by the kids in juvenile corprotecting against employment discrimina- rections. As a corrections officer I could give back by helping these kids turn their lives tion on the basis of sexual orientation.”

On June 14, while at home and off-duty, around and build a future for themselves.”

Cooley is represented by Joshua Block Cooley called 911 after his boyfriend became physically violent. Among the offi- and Leslie Cooper at the ACLU Foundacers who responded to the call was Chief of tion, amongst other lawyers.

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Home Prices on the Rise

By Joey Amato

M

edian sales price of single-family homes in the Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area increased seven percent to $214,200 compared to September 2009, furthering the strengthening market trend.

Residential sales in Broward County fell in September, but are still stronger than they were two years ago. In Broward County, single-family home sales decreased 16 percent compared to September 2009.

Condominium sales dropped four percent in September, but were a significant 51 percent higher than they were two years ago. While sales are fluctuating somewhat, sales levels are still reflective of market strengthening and stability.

“While sales appear to have slowed slightly, current Broward County market fundamentals are indicative of positive performance,” said Terri Bersach, 2010 president of the Broward County Board of Governors of the Miami Association of REALTORS. “International buyers continue to play an important role in strengthening the local market.”

Statewide sales increased 10 percent to 5,675 for condominiums and dropped eight percent for single-family homes to 13,536.

Nationally, sales of existing single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and coops rose 10 percent from August, but remain 19.1 percent below September 2009, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Condominium sales in Miami were slower to rebound than that of single-family homes. The median sales price for condominiums was $71,600, down nine percent from a year ago.

Average sales prices in Broward County in September increased 8.5 seven percent from the previous year to $275,481 for single-family homes and decreased 11.6 percent to $111,117 for condominiums.

“Falling inventory and decreasing days on the market are very positive signs for the Broward County real estate market,” said Natascha Tello, president-elect of the Broward County Board of Governors of the Mi-

ami Association of REALTORS. “The foreclosure and short sale markets have created incredible opportunities for those who may have been priced out of the market before.”

In a broader report, prices of U.S. singlefamily homes fell for a second straight month in August, hovering around recent lows after the expiration of the popular homebuyer tax credits, according a recent Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller home price report.

A decline of 0.3 percent was reported in August, slightly below economists forecasted drop of 0.2 percent. The dip followed a seasonally adjusted decline of 0.2 percent in July.

S&P, which publishes the indexes, also said home prices in the 20 cities index rose 1.7 percent from August 2009, a slower annual pace than the 3.2 percent increase in July.

Unadjusted for seasonal impact, the 20-city index fell 0.2 percent after a 0.6 percent July gain. A 0.2 percent rise was expected.

“A disappointing report. Home prices broadly declined in August. Seventeen of the 20 cities and both composites saw a weakening in year-over-year figures, as compared to July, indicating that the housing market continues to bounce along the recent lows,” David M. Blitzer, chairman of the index committee at Standard & Poor’s, said in a statement.

“Over the last four months both the 10and 20-City Composites show slowing growth, after sustaining consistent gains since their April 2009 troughs,” he said.

Blitzer said the housing market appears to have stabilized at new lows.

“At this time, it does not seem that any of the markets are hanging on to the temporary momentum caused by the homebuyers’ tax credits,” he said.

The housing market has been struggling since home buyer tax credits expired earlier this year. To take advantage of the tax credits, buyers had to sign purchase contracts

by April 30.

After these figures were released, another report showed sales of new U.S. single-family homes rose more than expected in September.

The Commerce Department said sales rose 6.6 percent to a 307,000-unit annual rate from an unrevised 288,000-unit pace in August.

Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast new home sales rising to a 300,000-unit pace last month. Sales were down 21.5 percent compared to September last year.

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS Being Gay Causes Cancer?

be contracted through oral sex, but happens early Thursday, saying, “I appreciate your criticism; I apologize for using the slur, and to be as common in women as it is in men. resolve to educate others in any capacity I’m Choi Apologizes for Slur Right-wing radio host Michael Savage said afforded in the future.”

Lt. Dan Choi has apologized for the slur in a broadcast this week that being gay is a he used against Senate majority leader Harry While he may have apologized to offended risk factor for throat cancer, attributing the women and their allies, Choi does not seem Reid that led some to question the feminist disease to oral sex between men. intent on telling Reid he is sorry.The Nevada credentials of the provocative “don’t ask, According to Media Matters, he said the senator is don’t tell” repeal following in his Monday broadcast of The engaged in a spokesman.

Savage Nation: tough battle In a revealing “Did you hear this? Oral sex between men for reelecprofile in The Village is bringing about a rise in men’s throat cantion against cer, as well as a few other risk factors. Would Voice, Choi expressed Tea Party anger with Reid after you like to hear what they are? Would you favorite Sharthe “don’t ask, don’t like to hear this? Oh, that’s right, how about ron Angle. tell” repeal vote failed marijuana?

Carmen White as man and woman in the senate last “Oral sex amongst men and marijuana month. He said, “Harry Reid is a pussy, and smoking seem to be correlated in the inArrest in Murder of NJ he’ll be bleeding once a month.” crease of men’s throat cancer. It’s a horrible Transgender Victim The statement drew heavy criticism type of cancer. Horrible. Just horrible horTwo suspects sought by police in connecWednesday for its implication that there rible horrible!” tion with the September 12 murder of Vicis something weak and wrong with being a Media Matter reports that ABC News toria Carmen White, a transgender woman, woman, with some quarters calling out Choi have surrendered to authorities. did report on a study that links oral sex to certain cancers, but it does not attribute the for misogyny. For some, the comment ripped Marquise Foster, 25, of North Plainfield, and open old wounds over inequality between disease to gay men.

Alrashim Chambers, 23, of Newark, surrenRather, the study says that certain oral and gay men and lesbians in the LGBT movement. dered to deputies at the Essex County ProsAccording to Politico, Choi, who called other head and neck cancers can be caused ecutor’s Office. Both are charged with murder. himself a “feminist,” apologized on Twitter

by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can White was shot dead during an altercation

on September 12 at an after hours party in a Maplewood apartment. Foster met White earlier that same night at an Irvington nightclub. Police suspect she was killed because of her sexual orientation and are considering adding hate crime charges.

The 28-year-old White, born James White, underwent gender reassignment surgery nine years ago and worked as a lingerie model.

Investigators believe Chambers and Foster learned that White was once a man “during the course of their interactions” with her, sparking the altercation.

New Jersey-based gay rights group Garden State Equality had announced a $2,000 reward for information leading to the arrests of the suspects in the murder.

The bail for each defendant was set at $1 million.

Man Beats Priest A man was arrested in Santa Clara, Calif. on Friday for attacking a Jesuit priest who molested him and his brother 35 years ago.

Police were able to connect 43-year-old William Lynch to the May 10, 2010 attack on Jesuit Priest Jerold Lindner by searching phone

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN BRIEFS records, according to the Associated Press.

Lynch posted $25,000 bail and will plead not guilty at an arraignment next month, according to his lawyer, Pat Harris.

Lynch allegedly confronted Father Lindner at the Jesuits’ Sacred Heart retirement home in Los Gatos, Calif. and repeated punched him in the face and body after the priest said he did not recognize him, said Sgt. Rick Sung, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Department.

Lynch and his younger brother settled with the Jesuits of the California Province, a Roman Catholic religious order, for $625,000 in 1998 after they accused Lindner of abusing them in 1975 during weekend camping trips.

Harris said Lynch and his brother, who were 7 and 5 at the time, were raped and forced to have oral sex with each other while Lindner watched.

Lindner, 65, has been accused of abuse by more than a dozen people, including his sister and nieces and nephews. He has previously denied abusing the boys and was not criminally charged because the abuse fell outside the statute of limitations.

Lindner was removed from the ministry and placed at the Los Gatos retirement home in 2001

Atlanta Police Accused of Doctoring Raid Docs

Detective Sues NYPD

A gay detective is suing the NYPD, saying that he was targeted for complaining about antigay harassment on the job including Lawyers have accused Atlanta police of erasing e-mails, text messages and cell phone taunts like “faggot,” “rat,” and “meat gazer.”

According to the New York Daily News, photos that could shed light on a police raid the 33-year-old detective, who filed the on a gay bar that triggered a lawsuit. lawsuit in ManhatLawyers for the tan Supreme Court Atlanta Eagle Bar and as “John Doe,” said several patrons said that colleagues at in court filings that the 103rd Precinct the evidence was dein Queens and at liberately destroyed. the Internal Affairs Attorneys said the Bureau in Manhatcell phone data was tan dished the erased just days after Atlanta Eagle harassment.

U.S. District Court “The four-year Judge Timothy Batten ordered that the information be turned over. member of the force said his grievances were ignored – and that he was later punCity Attorney Cathy Hampton told The ished, slapped with departmental charges Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the city that he had his patrolman’s shield duplicatgovernment takes the allegations seriously ed,” reports the Daily News. and will investigate.

Disciplinary hearings are scheduled for A national gay rights group filed the next week. federal lawsuit on behalf of 19 people who According to the Daily News, the suit also say they were illegally searched and detained alleges that the NYPD outed officers still during a Sept. 10, 2009 raid

in the closet last year when it “revealed the names of cops attending a gay officers’ conference in a message sent to every precinct.”

3 More Charged in NY Anti Gay Gang Attack A teenager and two men have been indicted by a grand jury in the brutal anti-gay gang attacks in New York City earlier this month. The story has stirred national anger.

Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announced the indictments Thursday on various charges including gang assault, robbery and sexual abuse. The three newest defendants and four other defendants indicted earlier this week are to be arraigned Nov. 23.

Authorities say a group of men calling themselves the ‘Latin King Goonies’ discovered one of their teen recruits was gay. Prosecutors say they attacked him, then went after a 30-year-old man who supposedly had a sexual encounter with the teen. Two others were also then induced to come to the gay man’s home, and also were viciously and violently attacked.

SFGN will continue to cover the unnerving assaults.

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Obama: LGBT Dismay Not Justified

By Lisa Keen

Keen News Service

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resident Obama said Wednes​day (October 27) that he doesn’t think the “disillusionment” that some in the LGBT community have for his administration thus far is “justified.” He also refused to say whether he believes “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is unconstitutional. And he said he has a strategy for getting the military ban on gays repealed in the lame-duck session.

The remarks came during a 45-minute group interview with a group of five progressive bloggers. Only one of the five was gay –Joe Sudbay who blogs at americablog. com. The interview took place in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, a daily meeting room next to the Oval Office.

The interview took place just one day after the President “dropped by” a meeting between senior White House officials

and 10 LGBT activists discussing strategy for passing DADT repeal language during the lame-duck Senate next month.

Sudbay told the president “there is a certain amount of disillusionment and disappointment in our community right now.” And he asked whether President Obama thinks DADT is unconstitutional.

“It’s not a simple yes or no question, because I’m not sitting on the Supreme Court,” said Obama, who, ironically, taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School before running for the U.S. Senate. Obama suggested his reluctance to answer the question was out of respect for the different roles played by Congress and the Supreme Court.

“But here’s what I can say,” said Obama. “I think ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is wrong.

For the complete article on the Obama’s comments, go to: SouthFloridaGayNews.com/dismay

Photo Courtesy: www.davepallone.com

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Dave Pallone

Baseball, the Military, and ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Courtesy of dot429 Exclusive

Editor’s Note: Dave Pallone worked as a professional umpire for 18 years; 10 of those years with the National Baseball League. Pallone is the author of the 1990 New York Time’s best-selling autobiography, Behind the Mask: My Double Life in Baseball.

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n November 30, 1988 I learned firsthand what homophobia in sports is all about. That was the day Major League Baseball fired me because I was gay. After 18 years as an accomplished umpire, 10 of those years with the National Baseball League, Major League Baseball decided there was no room for a gay man within their ranks. This decision by Major League Baseball, more than twenty years ago, left a scar on the face of our national pastime.

Why do I bring this up today, after all these years? It seems to me that there are many similarities between Major League Baseball and the state of our military. When ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ became law in 1993 it also left a scar. The scar that was left this time, however, was on our Nation’s face.

In the Major Leagues the integrity of an umpire is one that can never be questioned. The umpire’s integrity is what makes the profession what it is, and has been since its inception by Abner Doubleday. Despite this fact, how can one feel like they have integrity when they are forced to lie; lie about who they are, and forced to live a ‘double life’? This is what Major League Baseball forced me to do. I had to live in a box and hide throughout my entire career. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is doing exactly this, by forcing courageous men and women of our nation’s military, who happen to be gay, to keep their lives hidden each and every day they serve our country. They are forced to live in a box, become liars, and throw their integrity into the trash. I have never served in our military. I have the upmost respect for all the men and women who serve our nation with honor, dignity, and for the too many of them that give the ultimate sacrifice. That said, how can I possibly respect those in our military (and for that matter in major league baseball), who force those

of us who happen to be gay/lesbian to lie to our peers, family, friends and most of all to ourselves on a daily basis? How can we as a nation, a proud nation at that, allow this to be (in the case of our armed forces) law?

The fact is, there isn’t an athlete or a proud member of our armed services who checks his or her sexual orientation at the player’s entrance or on the battlefield. Due to homophobia in the game of baseball and in our military, players and members of our armed forces have been forced to live double lives. Only those who have lived in the closet will understand the struggles these men and women deal with on a daily basis.

Constantly lying about who you are takes on its own life, and the stigma placed on homosexuality makes it even harder.

Ever since Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball there have been players who are gay. That is the same with our armed forces. This will never change. The question is whether or not LGBT can be open about their sexual orientation and remain in the profession they truly love. We must realize that once the first step is made, and the stigma – and for that matter, the witch hunt – goes away, this story will be dead.

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

E N E C S E M I R C Y A G POLICE LINE: SPECIAL REPORTS

Young Gay Man Murdered in Oakland Park Complex

By Norm Kent

in Oakland Park, where he lived.

Having gone misshe murder of a ing for a day, his family third gay man was searching for him in less than two when they noticed his months has the Broward car atypically situated Sheriff’s office on alert, and in the back parking lot they are seeking leads from of the complex where the LGBT community. he resided, at 4100 NW While the deaths appear 21st Avenue. to be entirely unrelated, Wa l d e n ’s m o t h e r, the murders should send a Conchita Walden, apsignal that “gays and lesproached the vehicle bians can become crime Kelvin Walden first, an Infiniti, opened victims too,” said Captain Robert Schnakenberg, of the BSO Criminal the door and found her son’s body, slain by a bullet which apparently went through Investigations Division.

Last Wednesday, 21-year old Kelvin the front windshield. Kelvin’s cousin, TifWalden was found shot to death in his car fany Mickel, told Channel 4 news that at the Crystal Lake Apartment Complex when “Kelvin’s mom opened the door, he

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K.D.’s family has now memorialized his death with a two minute musical tribute uploaded on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=hHNAgzcqBqw.

just fell in her arms.”

“Whoever did this needs to turn themselves in, because everyone knows him and loves him,” Conchita Walden told Channel 4. “He’s a sweetheart. Who would shoot and kill my baby and leave him for dead?”

While declining to comment on who may have shot Walden or why, Broward County Sheriff’s deputies have officially ruled the case a homicide.

If you have any information on the crime, you are They are aware that Kelvin, known as asked to call CrimeStoppers at (954) 493- TIPS

Unsolved Pompano Murder Victim Was Communications Executive

By Richard Gary

A

nyone walking through the ‘Taste of the Island’ Wilton Manors street festival last Friday probably got to taste test the locally renowned clam chowder from Kelly’s Landing restaurant in Fort Lauderdale.

As far as BSO is concerned though, it was probably the venue where homicide victim Samuel Del Brocco was last seen alive. The Alexandria, Virginia communications company executive, who maintained a private second residence at Bay Drive in Pompano Beach, was found murdered there on September 13.

Authorities have released a flier offering a

$1,000 reward, hoping it will jar the memory of someone who may have seen Del Brocco before his mysterious death. The night bartender at Kelly’s Landing only recalls that he had dinner alone that evening, and left quietly.

The 60-year-old businessman was president and CEO of PCI Communications, communications and strategy firm, who began his professional career as a school psychologist, developing crisis management and training programs for school administrators and teachers during the tumultuous years of public school desegregation in Maryland. He then fulfilled a dream by traveling for thirteen years as a singer/

‘K.D.’ in the gay community, was a crossdresser in a relationship with another man.

He frequently attended drag shows. While Walden was not dressed in women’s clothing when his body was found, relatives were unable to say if his sexual orientation had anything to do with his murder. They only know him as a loved family member.

Meanwhile, police are exploring ‘all leads and possible avenues’ which would further their investigation, including possible ties to past criminal conduct.

At the time of his murder, Walden had an open felony case pending for grand theft in the third degree, with a warrant out for his arrest since July of 2009, when he failed to appear in court before Judge Carlos Rebollo.

looking forward to renovating.

Investigators have elicited some information suggesting that Del Brocco may have quietly entertainer, recording three frequented gay venalbums, appearing on dozens ues during his trips of television programs, and to South Florida. appearing live with his eightThey are looking to piece band at hotels and rethe LGBT commusorts from the Caribbean to nity to see if anyone the Philippines. recognizes him, or if One neighbor, Brian Dafurther light can be vis, recalled Del Brocco as a shed into their in“well-liked person” who was Samuel Del Brocco vestigation. always polite, a man “who “It may have been a random act, or somewould bring cookies at Christmas and always had a kind word.” Other neighbors thing more than that,” says BSO homicide say Del Brocco had recently lost close to investigator Tim Duggan. “If you have a 100 pounds and had just purchased a new lead, we want to know.” His phone number home in Mount Vernon, which he was is 954-321-4210.

12

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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By Norm Kent

C

alvin Williams was shot to death at his home in Riviera Beach on May 14th, 2010.

The tall, athletic middle school teacher was killed by his boyfriend of 2 years, 20 year old Lawrence Hunt. Of that, there is no doubt at this point. Hunt has claimed self-defense, stating he was trying to avoid a sudden, unwanted, forced rape.

Hunt says that an argument between he and his partner ensued when he confronted Williams of failing to disclose that he had been having unprotected sex with him while testing positive for the HIV virus.

Hunt claims the LC Swain Middle school special education teacher became angry, and then tried to rape him. According to the Riviera Beach police affidavit: “Williams allegedly climbed onto Hunt’s back and began to pull his basketball shorts off, while stating ‘I’m (going to) get that a--.”

Shortly after, cops say Hunt shot Williams to death.

Meanwhile, it is a story that has best been covered by New Times Magazine’s Lisa Rab, whose latest piece raises the legal and ethical questions of asserting a defense based on the fear of contracting HIV. “It’s unclear whether these allegations are true; autopsy reports don’t mention Williams’ HIV status, but police did find HIV medication in his bedroom,” Rab reports. But the law in Florida is clear, she accurately writes, “Williams’ HIV status alone is not a legal justification to use deadly force.”

In Florida, you can shoot someone

in self-defense only if you believe the action is necessary to prevent “imminent death,” “great bodily harm,” or a “forcible felony,” such as rape.

Rab interviewed one of Broward County’s most respected chief assistant state attorneys on the issue, homicide prosecutor Charles Morton. He told her “The fact that you think that you’re going to contract a disease from someone is not a legal ground to use deadly force.”

In this case, however, Hunt is arguing that Williams tried to spontaneously force himself on him after the heated confrontation about HIV. If that is the case, Morton told Rab, “the forcible rape does give you the legal right to defend yourself using equal force or deadly force.”

Rab, who has been steadfastly following the case on her New Times blog, has noted that Williams was once accused of exposing himself to a male student at Palm Beach Lakes High, favored younger men, and was seen frequenting Dolce, a popular gay club in West Palm Beach. Williams, though, the re-

Calvin Williams

porter found out, was open about his sexuality with friends, including the men he played cards with the night before he was killed.

New Times followed this story with a cover story bringing to light a “harsh truth about AIDS among African-American men.

For many in South Florida, sex on the down-low is a deadly gamble.”

In 2008, 1 in 31 black men in Palm Beach County had HIV or AIDS, eight times the rate for white men. In Broward, the statistic was 1 in 41 black men; in Miami-Dade, 1 in 29.

The links to the outstanding New Times features can be found at http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/juice Meanwhile, the case against Hunt is pending. He remains in custody, on no bond, while facing second degree murder charges.

From the New Times Report: African-American ministers tell their flocks they’re going to hell if they have HIV. Some people don’t believe white doctors who warn them about the disease. And for gay men, admitting their true feelings can mean getting kicked out of the house or rejected by their families. It all leads to a “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude, so that many men hide their HIV status.

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Oakland Park Murder Still Unsolved

By Norm Kent

T

he case of Alfred Chadwick McMurray, 31, a gay man whose body was found in an Oakland Park residence two months ago, remains unsolved. His brutal murder occurred in an Oakland Park residence on the 1300 block of NE 34th street. Chadwick was found by friends, his body discovered bound and on the ground in a pool of blood in the living room.

Broward Sheriff’s detectives investigating the case say they recovered McMurray’s Toyota Tacoma truck stolen from the house, abandoned at a Lauderhill apartment com-

Chadwick (Chad) McMurray

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plex. Detectives hope someone might have seen the person driving it or leaving it at the complex, but no certain leads have come forth yet.

McMurray had recently moved to Broward from North Carolina, where he had done time on a methamphetamine charge, before violating probation and also getting sentenced to prison for 16 months in Florida.

Thus, law enforcement has necessarily explored a possible drug connection, or a deal gone south. But his friends have protested that McMurray’s past should not wrongfully color his present.

At the time of his death he was in a relationship with local businessmen Shannon Prewitt, and had strong ties with a group of dear companions, many of whom wrote to SFGN after the initial story detailing his murder.

Said one writer: “Chad was an amazing person who was loved and adored by all who knew him. He was just finishing his education to become a chef at Le Cordon Bleu in Miramar, Florida. He was an amazing student who loved to share his skills by preparing wonderful and elaborate dinners for his friends and family. He was quick with a smile and always had a joke to keep everyone laughing.”

The Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone with information about McMurray’s death contact homicide Detective Louis Rivera at 954-321-4211 or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).

13

14

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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NY Murder Mystery Solved Coroner Calls Nicaraguan Diplomat’s Near Beheading a ‘Suicide’

By Joey Amato

A

t first, NY papers called it an international murder

mystery.

It was the chilling story of Cesar Mercado’s near beheading, and it was no Halloween tale. His body was found in late September in his bloodied studio apartment in the Bronx.

The highest ranking Nicaraguan Diplomat in the states, on the morning of his death he was to journey to the UN for an address by President Obama. Instead, his horrified driver found an unlocked apartment, with the senior diplomat in it, slashed from ear to ear, and stabbed in the stomach.

Police had stated that they found two knives at the scene, a 12-inch steak knife that had been next to the blood-filled bathroom sink, and a paring knife in the sink in a pool of blood. Investigators said the scene was “gruesome,” determining it to be a homicide. Evidence, including hairs found in the dead diplomat’s hands, were sent out for DNA results.

No note was found in his apartment.

Mercado was fully clothed, and the apartment did not appear to have been ransacked, police said. His stunned friends and neighbors described him as a kind, happy, caring person who had no enemies, “a quiet man who lived alone.”

The biggest bombshell followed a few days later when detectives were said to

Cesar Mercado

be reportedly investigating the possibility that Mercado was murdered by a gay lover. Sources told the NY Post that Mercado suffered from depression, was a diabetic, and had recently tested positive for AIDS. Meanwhile, Nicaragua’s UN ambassador had remained silent, saying they could not release any information, stirring the rumors further.

Last Friday, however, the NY coroner’s office stated that the slash wounds to the neck, as well as the stab wounds, were selfinflicted, and ruled the death a suicide.

The coroner also discovered that Mercado had ingested a toxic household cleaner. His body was released to Nicaraguan authorities to be returned to his native home city of Masatepe, Nicaragua, for burial.

D.C. Teens Charged in Murder of Gay Principal

By Cliff Dunn

M

ontgomery County, Maryland police have charged three teenagers with murdering a popular gay Washington, D.C. middle school principal. It was the second such similar killing for the nation’s capital over the last six months.

Deontra Gray, Sharif Lau Lancaster and Alante Saunders, all 18 years old, had met Brian Betts on a phone sex chat line just hours before he was killed. Lancaster’s mother, Artura Otey Williams, 46, has been released after being charged with misdemeanors connected to Betts’ stolen credit cards.

Officials say that the search for suspects is not over yet. Police say that it’s still an open investigation and that more arrests are possible. Police believe that robbery was the motive. Betts, 42, was found dead in his home on April 15 after failing to appear for work.

According to The Washington Post: “Montgomery Police Chief J. Thomas Manger said that there was no indication the teens had any relationship with Betts before the educator arranged a meeting with one or more of them on the phone line. Officers said they think the trio used the chat line to find a target to rob.”

The murder occurred in the aftermath of a similar crime in which a gay man, Anthony Perkins, was shot to death in December 2009 after arranging to meet faceto-face with someone he’d met on a similar phone chat line.

While chat services have mainly migrated Online, the Post reports that there’s still a large and profitable phone line industry.

Brian Betts

Experts say that, ironically, one appeal of phone chat is safety. As noted by Greg Walker, President of Dynamix Unified Solutions in Fort Lauderdale, “Web sites can be tracked. It’s a lot harder to track phone conversations.”

On April 23, Washington, D.C.-based LGBT service organization The Center issued a warning through its Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence initiative. The warning said that, “In light of the recent murders of Anthony Perkins and Brian Betts, Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) has reason to believe that gay men who arrange sexual encounters through websites, chat rooms, or apps may be being targeted for violent crime.”

Since 2008 Betts had served as principal at Shaw Middle School. He was described by one of his students as “the father I never had, because my real father was always in and out of my life.” The educator became a high-profile advocate for reform in D.C.’s school system, and was lauded by the system’s Chancellor as a person who was “truly amazing.”

Suspects

15

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Murders of Gays in Brazil Rise

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ASSOCIATED PRESS – RIO DE JANEIRO - Murders of gays in Brazil have jumped 62 per cent between 2007 and 2009, making the country one of the most perilous in the world for homosexuals, a gay rights association said.

The Gay Group of Bahia told the newspaper O Globo the shocking statistic should be a key issue in second-round presidential elections taking place October 31, alongside abortion and gay marriages.

It said 198 gay murders were recorded in 2009, 187 in 2008, and 121 in 2007. By comparison, there were just 35 gay murders registered in Mexico last year, the group added.

Between 1980 and 2009, the association counted 3,196 murders of homosexuals in

Brazil, or an average of 110 per year.

It criticized opposition by church groups to a draft law that would criminalize homophobia.

“Unfortunately, homophobia is one of the aspects of Brazilian society that pushes homosexuals into hiding,” the group’s head, Marcelo Cerqueira, told O Globo.

“Gays, lesbians and transvestites are murdered in cruel ways, generally with faces disfigured, and they end up being considered the guilty parties.”

Luiz Mott, an anthropologist and former president of the Gay Group of Bahia, added that “the fact there is no specific law to punish homophobic crimes contributes to the violence” against the minority.

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16

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

SFGN Editorial

November 3, 2010

Wilting Manors Government Disgraces its Citizens Norm Kent, Publisher

T

he South Florida Gay News is distrib- police, with a limited presence, were stopping uted to over 375 distribution points by club after club to keep patrons on public in three different counties, but Wil- sidewalks and not in motored thoroughfares. ton Manors is our hometown, so coverage here It was a recipe for disaster, an accident waiting to happen, and a situation that could have so deserves significant attention. It’s home plate.

Additionally, the city of Wilton Manors has easily been avoided. How could this be?

The community has rightfully demanded an one of the largest percentages of LGBT populations in the United States, a statistic document- answer to why the streets were not closed when ed a decade ago by the 2000 census. You can it was so evident so many would be there. Let only expect an exponential result in that num- us give you the answer. The city chose to be ber when the 2010 reporting becomes public. cheap. They decided to save a buck instead of That being said, it is no surprise many of save a life. They elected not to pay for the barthe candidates for office this week were gay ricades or the extra police details, which would men and women or LGBT supportive. How- be necessarily an expense of the operation. ever, whom you sleep with is not an indicator They put your life and your partner’s life and your friend’s life at risk. They chose expedience of how well you govern.

This past week in Wilton Manors we wit- over excellence. They disgraced you. We have nessed a complete abdication of civic respon- published in our online edition a letter from sibility by city officials. So busy with running for re-election, they abandoned their duty to protect the public safety and welfare. We can’t name names, because we are not sure who did what, but cumulatively we know they all did nothing.

We are certain that between the city commission, the police department, the city manager, the activists in a citizens’ group that sought to take charge, and the state officials who have dominion over Wilton Drive, something should have been done to make it safer last Saturday. Make PHOTO BY TOMMY FORCELLA Wilton Manors Main Street, applauding the no mistake about it, you all failed miserably.

Very simply, everyone knew thousands of selfless and noble work of the many volunteers citizens were coming to Wilton Drive for a who made the weekend’s events successful. Of Halloween Party on Saturday night, October course, they deserve credit, as so many contrib30. Last year, the streets were overwhelmed uted so much. But it seems safety alone should with thousands of pedestrians, families with have been a priority, and our citizens should children in strollers, gay men and women, in not have settled for less. That we may have escostumes, so many partying and drinking. caped injury today does not mean we won’t be We knew that was coming again this year. creating a false sense of security for a similar Last year, though, wisely, the streets were event tomorrow. And every cop working that drive knows how right I am. closed to vehicular traffic. This year, not so.

Don’t let them tell you about how they needed Throughout the night, pedestrians aimlessly and mindlessly drifted into traffic, as club own- permission, or it was a state road. Don’t let them ers tried desperately to police their venues. The tell you about how when Stonewall Pride went

broke in June, the details were not paid their fees back then. Don’t let them tell you anything. It will all be a lie. The truth is simple: public safety was ignored. The transparent and obvious need to close the street was not accomplished. Clearly, it should have been.

Most of the time, the best any city commission or city manager can do for you or your business is stay out of your hair. That government which governs best governs least. But when it comes to public safety, no expense is too costly, unless if you live in Wilton Manors and you are fighting over who should pay for what.

The entire expense of posting barricades and adding details would have been less than $20,000, funds the City could have found. They are also demonstratively less than it would have cost the city to defend a lawsuit had a club patron or pedestrian been injured by an impaired driver or inadvertent accident.

The major point to be made is that while only the Florida Department of Transportation can close the state road known as Wilton Drive, everyone in authority knew or should have known that it should have been closed last Saturday night. That we failed to act accordingly means that we failed to act responsibly.

Let’s own up to it.

It is clear what happened last Saturday was no accident. Given the choice to act responsibly, we were delivered a case of paralysis. The city acted recklessly, and there is no defense for putting the public at risk. It was a Halloween nightmare, and we elect them again and again.

Letters, We Got Letters Comment on: ‘Strike Up the Band! Lambda Chorale Sings for a Cure’ (10/27) DEAR EDITOR: I can’t thank you enough for the article of the Lambda Chorale and Krop High joint concert in this weeks paper.Yeah, it will be an exciting program and important to the success and continuation of both my high school program and Lambda AND making a contribution to the Komen Foundation. But mixing the lgbt and straight supportive chorus with my kids is also a really big deal. With a high school arts program, the recent issues with gay men committing suicide has been a class discussion often instead of music theory or learning the next song. And why not because that has been real education.

I know that when I share the article with my students tomorrow, and with Lambda Chorale tomorrow night before the concert, it will give them a great feeling of support and confidence. Again, I can’t thank you enough.

Sincerely, Gary Keating

Write to the Editor Please send your letters to: Letters to the Editor, SFGN 2520 N. Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors, FL 33305 OR EMAIL: editor@southfloridagaynews.com

17

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Jeff Vessels

Personal Reflections on the Martin Gill Case Guest Columnist

I

t’s hard to describe my feelings yesterday – the last day of Florida’s incredibly destructive ban on adoptions by gay men and lesbians.

In the early afternoon, I drove our (ACLU of Florida’s) Executive Director and LGBT Advocacy staff attorney from Miami to Fort Lauderdale to meet with representatives from the Community Foundation of Broward, which has supported our LGBT rights work for several years. We talked with them about how in a matter of hours, the hateful law they have helped us battle was in its waning hours.

Indeed, when we left the meeting, we received a call that the Attorney General was likely to issue a statement by 3 or 3:30 p.m. about whether he was going to appeal our court victory of a month ago. As I drove us back to Miami down I-95, we received a few

more updates, and there was a lot of speculation about what was about to happen.

Within 30 minutes of returning to the office, we got word that there would not be an appeal. Whoops and hollers of joy surged through our office of 20 staff. Within minutes, our courageous plaintiff Martin Gill – who has become a friend over the past year – arrived at our office with the two little boys who have been at the center of this storm. I kissed and hugged Martin. I congratulated and thanked him for his endurance and courage. The media frenzy began, and Martin was swept up in call after call from newspaper and TV reporters from all over the country.

As he huddled behind closed doors with our Executive Director, Communications Director, and attorneys to conduct media

interviews, his two boys (who finally, after nearly 6 years, can share the Gill family name with their father Martin) were running up and down the halls -- like 6 and 10 year old kids do. They quickly figured out whose offices had candy and whose offices had cool toys.

They spotted the nerf bowling set that I keep in my office for lighter moments. “C’mon,” they called to me as we snatched up the bowling set and took it into the hallway. Other office colleagues joined us. We bowled. We laughed and ran up and down the halls together, and we peeked into offices to see their dad on the phone with reporters. We played hide and seek. My colleague Kileen took them into the conference room, where they drew on a dry-erase board and played word games. We ate yet more candy and found a bottle of Sprite to share.

The 6-year-old kept asking me to hold him, and I gladly accepted the role of stand-in father while his dad took more media calls. As I held him, he laid his head on my shoulder and nearly fell asleep, sometimes putting his thumb in his mouth.

When the media frenzy slowed and Martin emerged from behind closed doors, the kids returned everything to where it belonged – with some loving encouragement from Martin – and the family left our office to get ready for a party we held last night to celebrate.

I had to go into my office, shut the door, and cry. I cried in happiness for these two little boys who can’t possibly yet know how fortunate they are to have been taken in by their brave and loving fathers. Without Martin and his partner, they were destined for a very sad life, with little chance of becoming thriving adults. I cried in joy for Martin, who is an amazing, humble, and strong man who – along with his partner – has sacrificed more than any of us will know in order to keep this family together.

I cried in sadness for the unforgivable damage that this 33-year-old, politically-motivated law did – and I wondered how many thousands of children could have found a forever home, were it not for this law. I cried

“The 6-year-old kept asking me to hold him, and I gladly accepted the role of stand-in father while his dad took more media calls. As I held him, he laid his head on my shoulder and nearly fell asleep...”

in relief – finally, the law is gone.

I dashed home and changed clothes, then drove to the party on South Beach.

There were hundreds of well-wishers, including dozens of lesbians and gay men who brought their children. It felt like a coming-out party. Martin’s youngest found me and asked me to hold him again, and of course I did so without hesitation. And I thought, this is what the ACLU’s work is all about.

Jeff Vessels is the Development Director of the ACLU of South Florida.

18

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

19

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Photo by

Ken Harrison

Boys in the Band J.W. Arnold

P

laywright Mart Crowley probably had no idea just what a big impact his play, “The Boys in the Band” would have on generations of gays and lesbians when his show opened Off-Broadway in 1968. But, as years have passed and the LGBT community has evolved and gained acceptance, his ground-breaking depiction of the lives of real gay men remains largely unknown to younger generations.

Tony-nominated director Michael Leeds believes the play is an integral piece of gay culture and is bringing “The Boys in the Band” to South Florida this weekend with a new production at Fort Lauderdale’s Rising Action Theatre.

“The play takes place in 1968 and, during that time, sodomy is illegal in every state and punishable in some states with life imprisonment,” Leeds points out. “Bars and restaurants couldn’t sell alcohol to gays and many gay professionals and teachers were victims of blackmail. Stonewall won’t take place for another year and most importantly, the American Psychological Association wouldn’t remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders for five years.”

Crowley’s play is definitely a period piece with its characters, a group of New York City friends, responding to the pressures

mann

ndy Her

nuel wles, Ma hnnie Bo

racek, Jo Ted Dvo

and challenges of being gay at a time when society considers them deviants. But like many good period pieces, Leeds says, the play speaks in a truth that applies today.

“Crowley addresses the fear and shame these people felt through camp, a sharp edged humor that resonates today,” he says.

“Everybody still goes through their own coming out process, and for many there still is a lot of pain, self-examination and risk.

And yet, the play is very, very, very funny.”

For Leeds, the play carries personal significance because he starred in a college production as Emory, the “Nelly” queen: “I’ll never forget his entrance, carrying a lasagna….and saying, ‘Oh Mary, don’t ask’. I didn’t get it and the director wouldn’t explain it. I came out a year or two after that.The play was very funny, poignant, and yet, threatening to a young man who wasn’t out yet.”

At a time when homosexual characters were never portrayed positively in the media, Crowley presented audiences with a

nd A evenge a , Nigel R

Uriza

diverse group of “typical” gay men. In addition to Emory, he introduced Michael, a lapsed Catholic alcoholic who is undergoing psychoanalysis; Donald, a conflicted friend who has moved far away to escape the homosexual lifestyle; Harold, who is turning 30 and obsessing about losing his youthful looks; Bernard, an African-American who still pines for the wealthy white boy of the house where his mother worked; and Larry and Hank, a couple that lives together despite differing opinions on monogamy.

“Crowley put ‘us’ on stage, he showed the general population that gay people were real, people who were funny, people who had problems,” Leeds says, but then adds,“We’ve come a long way in four decades but we’re not there yet when you have teenagers committing suicide like what has been happening lately.”

Leeds is keeping his production true to the period, but admits a few updates, especially in casting. Some of the characters are now portrayed by Latino actors, reflecting the significant gay Hispanic population in New York and “exposing an important

minority within a minority.” He also reworked the character of Cowboy, the hustler in the original, who Leeds says was often portrayed like Jon Voight from the classic film “Midnight Cowboy.”

“The hustlers I saw at the time looked nothing like Jon Voight,” he chuckles. “They were scrawny and young and just looking to make a buck.”

In any case, Leeds is hopeful “The Boys in the Band” will resonate with younger gays and Lesbians who still face the challenges of coming out, or at the very least reveal the building blocks of the modern gay community.

Theatre Feature Play: Boys in the Band Rising Action Theatre Sunshine Cathedral, 1480 SW 9th Ave., Fort Lauderdale Thursdays – Sundays, Nov. 5 – Dec. 12 (8 p.m., 7 p.m. Sundays) Tickets $35 at RisingActionTheatre.com or 1-800-595-4849

20

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Nightlife by J.W. Arnold

It’s Holiday Season

H

alloween was a huge success, both in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, thanks to the weekendlong celebrations, but the holiday is just the first of a string of celebrations around the corner. Now,Veterans Day has never been a big gay holiday—except maybe at Camp LeJeune—but expect those lucky bank and government employees to take advantage of an extra day to party.Three martini lunch, anybody? And, of course, Thanksgiving is barely three weeks away and the kick-off for the Chrismachanukwanzaka season (did I leave anybody out?).

There’s lots to look forward to, but our favorite South Florida nightspots aren’t content to wait for the next holiday to ramp up the action. Here’s a look at some of next week’s happenings: Wednesday, Nov. 3

D

rag BINGO takes on a whole new meaning on Wednesday at The Stable when Miss Candy Cornhole hosts DRAG-O beginning at 8:30 p.m.There’s plenty of cash and prizes to be won and whole lot of wacky surprises, too.The Stable is located at 205 E. Oakland Park Blvd.

Thursday, Nov. 4

L

ose the shirts, bears, because Thursday is Bare Bear Chest Night at the Cubby Hole, the friendly little bar tucked away in a small strip mall in Fort Lauderdale.

Bare (and bear) chested guys enjoy 2 for 1 drinks. Check out the action at 823 N. Federal Hwy. Friday, Nov. 5

B

oys, get out your iPhones because the hottest new app to hit South Beach is being unveiled tonight at Edison Farrow’s Hype Fridays party at 721 Bar, 721 Lincoln Lane.With this campy app, DragMe, you can see what your friends look like in their glamorous best. Enjoy free vodka drinks from 10 to 11 p.m. and later take in performances by Adora, T.P. Lords and Strawberry. Best of all, there’s no cover. Find out more about DragMe at iDragQueen.com.

Mova Lounge Saturday, Nov. 6

M

ova Lounge is one of Miami Beach’s coolest hangouts. The swanky modern bar is featuring the videos of popular VJ Barry Browder on Saturdays starting at 10 p.m.You can find the action at 1625 Michigan Ave., just off trendy Lincoln Rd. Sunday, Nov. 7

T

here are plenty of great tea dances to choose from on any given Sunday night, but one of the most popular is Guilty at Bill’s Filling Station. While you’re three try one of the bar’s famous burgers. Hang out later and enjoy the amazing performances of Misty Eyez and her girls from the Trannie Palace beginning at 10 p.m. Heck, just make a night of it!

Monday, Nov. 8

N

icole T. Phillips and Latrice Royale are your hostesses-with-themostest tonight at Fort Lauderdale late-night club,Torpedo, for the outrageous Stilleto Drag Wars. It doesn’t matter who wins the battle, because these girls are out to win the war.The battlefield is at 2829 W. Broward Blvd.

Tuesday, Nov. 9

O

ne of our favorite entertainers is pianist Jeff Hess. He tickles the ivories tonight in The Mustang Lounge at Bill’s Filling Station from 6 to 9 p.m. Sing along to the old standards and popular show tunes along with Jeff and don’t forget to order one of the bar’s famous martinis. Bill’s Filling Station is located at 2209 Wilton Dr.

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

21

22

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Heard it on...

John recently told EW. “There’s a chance I might do one track with her [for Born This Way], but it’s just, she’s so busy, and I’m so busy, we can never get together!”

John, who is a producer on Gnomeo and Juliet, co-wrote the movie’s soundtrack with composer James Newton Howard. He has contributed music to movies before — most notably with his Oscar-winning The Lion King soundtrack — “Hello, Hello” marks Gaga’s first contribution to a film.

And what art studio would be complete without a coffee bar and tasty snacks?

The festival takes place from 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. Come view and purchase local art, listen to music, hang out with friends, or make your own art. Please contact Pastor Leslie Tipton for more information at 954-418-8372.

one returns to a relationship with a man.

For more information please visit: PrideCenterFlorida.

Tracy Young Dishes On Zolciak

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak is pregnant, according to Star magazine, 25th Anniversary: Des- and former girlfriend DJ Tracy Young says Zolciak originally wanted the two to raise ert Hearts Gaga & Elton The Pride Center at Equality Park and Wom- the kid together.

Zolciak is reportedly expecting a baby Duet for en in Network (WIN) are cosponsoring a 25th Disney Anniversary Celebration of “Desert Hearts” on with her new boyfriend, Falcons pro footballer Kroy Biermann. But Young says ZolSunday, November 7 at 1:00PM, followed by a Lady Gaga and Elton ciak asked her if they could raise the baby T-Dance will follow at 4:00PM. John, who teamed up to Holy SpiritSong together and two days later dumped her.

Desert Hearts is a 1985 lesbian-themed open the 52nd Annual Art Festival “She said she still loved me and wanted to romantic drama film loosely based on the Grammys back in January, have collaborated Local artists to display at this first of its Jane Rule novel Desert of the Heart. Direct- tell me something important face to face,” on a new song, “Hello, Hello.” It will appear on kind event Young told Star. ed by Donna Deitch, the film stars Helen the soundtrack for the animated Disney film Church of the Holy SpiritSong, a local Young says Zolciak told her about the Gnomeo and Juliet (and not on Gaga’s upcom- gay-affirming church, is inviting the public to Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau, with a baby. “When I asked her what she was going ing album Born This Way), EW’s The Music Mix “Drawn Together,” an art festival free to the supporting performance by Audra Lindley.

The film is notable for being the first film to do, she said, ‘I want you to stay and raise reports.The film hits theaters February 11th, public on November 5. The event will be 2011. Gaga and John performed “Pokerface,” held in the church’s sanctuary, located on the to depict a lesbian relationship where both the baby with me, because Kroy doesn’t want to be involved.’” characters enjoy a satisfactory ending, in “Speechless” and Elton’s “Your Song” at the campus of Equality Park in Wilton Manors.

Young says two days later, Biermann came Grammys, and John has since been keen on “Drawn Together” will bring the public and contrast to previously released films such as Personal Best that focus less on the rela- back into the picture and Young was left on working with Gaga on new music. local artists together in an eclectic setting the sidelines. tionship of the main characters, and where “I’d love to [work with her] in the future,” where all can become an artist for a night.

*Computerized Mat Cutting Techniques *Museum-Quality Workmanship *1000’s of Metal & Wood Frames *100’s of Prints and Framed Art *Professional Framing Experience Since 1976

23

Palm Beach Art & Music Festival

By Staff Reporters

T

he West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is proud to present the first-ever Palm Beach Art & Music Festival, hosted

by Art Nouveau Events, to celebrate local artists and musicians.

The festival, which is free to attend, offers more than 50 art vendors, body painting, live music and an interactive children’s arts and crafts activity center. Food vendors include Rocco’s Tacos & Grease Burger Georgette Pressler, Holden Hubbard at Bar as well as an after 2009 Art & Music Festival party at Gratify. A portion of liquor sales will benefit the local American Cancer Society. ers and break-dancing by Groovolution.

The festival will take place on Saturday, The Palm Beach Art and Music Festival will showcase several local bands, including November 6 from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. at the Meyer Amphitheatre. Tickets are The People Upstairs, The Many Ones, We available for purchase at the Downtown Kill Giants, Bonnie Riot, The Mission Veo Development Authority offices. and Leading the Heroes. Live entertainment throughout the event will include For more information, please visit Palmfire breathing by Pyro Fusion EntertainBeachArtandMusicFestival.com. ment, performances by Mako’s cheerlead-

COURTESY OF ART NOUVEAU EVENTS

1st Annual Event at Meyer Amphitheatre

MCB IS SPONSORED IN PART BY THE STATE OF FLORIDA, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, DIVISION OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS, AND THE FLORIDA COUNCIL ON ARTS AND CULTURE. FUNDING FOR THIS ORGANIZATION IS PROVIDED IN PART BY THE BROWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE BROWARD CULTURAL COUNCIL. MCB PROGRAMMING IS MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS AND THE CULTURAL AFFAIRS COUNCIL, THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR AND BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, CULTURAL AFFAIRS PROGRAM, CULTURAL ARTS COUNCIL. MIAMI CITY BALLET HAS COMPLIED WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER 496, FLORIDA STATUTES, THE SOLICITATION OF CONTRIBUTIONS ACT. OUR REGISTRATION NUMBER IS CH1034. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800) 435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. CARLOS GUERRA & PATRICIA DELGADO: PHOTO © GIO ALMA.

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Season Presenter

25TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON! 50 SUPERB DANCERS 4 THRILLING PREMIERES 1 GREAT ORCHESTRA

PROGRAM I Fanfare Bugaku Theme and Variations Oct. 15-17 ADRIENNE ARSHT CENTER Nov. 12-14 BROWARD CENTER Nov. 19-21 KRAVIS CENTER

TICKETS FROM $19

Select your own seat online 24/7 at miamicityballet.org CALL

OR TOLL FREE

305.929.7010 877.929.7010

954-462-0222 browardcenter.org

Group Discounts (10 or more) CALL 305.929.7001 OR TOLL FREE 877.929.7001 305-949-6722 arshtcenter.org

EDWARD VILLELLA FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

561-832-7469 kravis.org

Miami City Ballet 25 YEARS

24

Film: A Matter of Size To read the full review as it appeared in SFGN partner publication Edgemagazine, please visit Bit.ly/dCQNeJ For local show times in South Florida please visit, Menemshafilms.com

A Matter of Size Comes to South Florida Staff Reporters

as a chef also because of his weight.

He finds work at a sushi restaurant where he learns about the Japanese art of Sumo wrestling. Soon after he convinces three other large friends to don the diapers of Sumo wrestlers and starts a wrestling club of his own. The film has a slow, steady, introspective yet humorous pace that recalls the 2006 hit Israeli comedy, “Ushpizin.”

“Part sports drama, part love story, this sweetly absurd tale of forlorn blue-collar guys pursuing a difficult goal – and in the process learning to accept themselves – recalls audience-pleasing fare such as “The Full Monty,” wrote Alissa Simon reviewing the film in Variety.

“S

umo isn’t just about being fat,” says one of the characters in the new hit Israeli film “A Matter of Size.” The film analyzes the self-image of four overweight men in the Israeli city of Ramle.

Herzl (Itzik Cohen) is a chef whom, when he weighs in at 340 lbs, is kicked out of his diet group, then loses his job

Dance

MIAMI CITY BALLET’S ‘OPEN BARRE’ DANCE SERIES

G

et up close and personal with Miami City Ballet dancers in their 200 seat intimate studio theater when the Open Barre Dance Series opens its season with two exciting works: Twyla Tharp’s “The Golden Section” and Paul Taylor’s Company B. These exclusive, one-of-a-kind performances are presented three times only: Friday, November 5 at 7p.m. and Saturday, November 6 at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Tickets are only $35 and include a complimentary lobby “open bar,” beginning

WIKIPEDIA

Film Review

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

By A. Sebastian Fortino

T Scene from A Matter of Size

thirty minutes prior to curtain, courtesy of Bacardi USA. Purchase tickets by calling (305) 929-7010 or order online 24/7 at www. miamicityballet.org. Miami Beach InCard members pay just $25 in person only at Miami City Ballet, Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or day of performance until curtain time.

Performances are at Miami City Ballet Studios, Ophelia and Juan Js. Roca Center, Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Theatre located at 2200 Liberty Ave., Miami Beach at 22nd St. one block west of Collins Ave. Miami City Ballet is now celebrating its 25th Anniversary Season. For complete information regarding performances and ticket prices, visit www.miamicityballet.org or call (305) 929-7010 or toll-free (877) 929-7010.

he Library of America honors the best American writers by printing handsome collections of their work. Shirley Jackson (1916-1965) is a recent edition to their list, complied by a great writer in her own right, Joyce Carol Oates.

Jackson’s subjects are almost always macabre, or at least spooky, and present a picture of mid-20th century America that seems nearly Victorian in its provincialism and pace of life.

Novels included in the collection such as We Have Always Lived in the Castle, and The Haunting of Hill House – which was made into a film that Jackson approved of in 1963 – are not really about how people inhabit a house, but how a house inhabits the tenants.

In The Lottery – a collection of stories that culminates with a town whose rural population kills one inhabitant each year – Jackson reveals herself to her readers.

In The Summer People a retired couple decides to stay in their lonely, holiday cabin one month more, since they have nothing to go back to in the city. They quickly learn they should have listened when their neighbors gently told them to go home. This story – like many of her other works – suggests a distrust of the world and, perhaps the times in which she lived, an era that teetered on the precipice of civil and women’s rights.

Her main characters are almost always women who are bound by their place in life, by employers, mothers-in-law, children, by the little house they have chosen to lease, or the men whom for whom they have fallen in love. There is a desire in her characters for utter privacy, to be absorbed into one’s self – quite fitting for a writer, as if this will free them from what binds them.

In We Have Always Lived in the Castle, we

Book Review Book: Shirley Jackson: Novels & Stories The Library of America 834 pages LoA.org

encounter a young girl with very interesting ideas about how to preserve her sense of family harmony. Reading this story makes you feel nervous for the main characters, while still marveling at their actions.

“I was pretending that I did not speak their language; on the moon we spoke a soft, liquid tongue, and sang in the starlight, looking down on the dead dried world; I was almost halfway past the fence,” says Mary Katharine Blackwood of her neighbors.

In The Haunting of Hill House a shy young woman, who has lived under her mother’s shadow, then under her sister’s roof, is invited to a mysterious mansion for a paranormal experiment. This is not just a mere ghost story, as the character develops from a sheltered creature into someone that takes control of her destiny. The reader might not concur with how the main character takes control of her life but it is a fitting end to the way in which the story – much like the house – is constructed.

Jackson’s voice is very proper, very gentile, and implies that she was taught to speak “like a lady” as women of her generation were taught. The timid strain in her writing discusses what might be her fears while allowing characters to grow, and expand in a magical manner that is seldom seen in other works of fiction.

The spooky, macabre nature of Jackson’s work makes an excellent gift this Halloween for those you know that like suspense or are hosting a party!

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

VIEWS OF THE NEWS

Rally for Verdugo: at City Hall

Volunteers of the Trevor Project welcome patrons to Gallery 101

SFGN publisher Norm Kent tapes a radio show with Sheriff Al Lamberti on WWNN, 1470AM

Michael Rajner Rocks The Vote for Democrats At Java Boys.

Republican candidate Chip Lamarca speaks with Joe Angelo at Georgie’s Alibi.

GLBX celebrates 2 year anniversary at the Manor.

Stand Up FL leader joins Get Equal, resigns from Stand Up.

Michael Rajner supports DADT repeal at Broward Dem meeting.

UK’s gay favorite, Lily Allen suffers personal tragedy.

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November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Oscar Winning Directors

Rob Epstein & Jeff Friedman on

Howl

By Steve Fritz

I

f you ask the Oscar-winning directors of the films The Times of Harvey Milk, Common Threads and Celluloid Closet why their latest film is about poet Allen Ginsberg, they have a very direct answer.

“He was an incredible artist, incredible visionary, lived in an interesting time period which we never explored in our previous works and is an early gay hero,” says Rob Epstein. “That was something we didn’t understand until we started and came as a surprise to us. “ “I had one encounter with him in a circle of actors chanting before a performance

in a living theater I was part of at the time.

I was a teenager,” Jeffrey Friedman adds.

“Allen led the chant with his harmonium.

It was a pretty standard chant. He was this kind of guru/ father figure. He’d been around and was somebody who managed to bridge the generations.

“He bridged the new counter culture I was part of and the literary counter culture

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he formed. He definitely felt like an ambassador. And he was even performing in the punk clubs in the 80s. Allen was someone who remained engaged and concerned about the world. That’s what I think kept him connected.”

Ginsberg made his name in the mid-50s as part of the Beat Movement, which also included such seminal literary titans as Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs and Lawrence Ferlinghetti. He was pretty much the first one of these authors to publish. His work Howl and Other Poems, published by Ferlinghetti’s City Lights Publishing in San Francisco in 1955, caused an incredible uproar for its vivid imagery and subject matter. In fact, it caused such controversy, like Burroughs’ Naked Lunch a few years later; it faced an obscenity trial in 1957.

Epstein and Friedman’s new film, Howl, is an examination of Ginsberg and the trial. It stars James Franco as Ginsberg, John Hamm as defense attorney Jake Ehrlich and MaryLouise Parker and Treat Williams, as two literary critics who are on opposite sides of whether the book should be banned.

Part of the controversy inside the work is Ginsberg openly declaring being gay, something that just wasn’t done in the height of the sexually repressed 50s.Yet that was only one element of the entire work, it also shed light on the underbelly of American culture of the day. It is also a book that many are still trying to ban from libraries today.

“It is all that,” Epstein agreed. “It’s also a queer manifesto. That was the element that surprised us. When you really start to read and analyze the themes and notions, they are his declaration of being queer, and his love for Neal Cassady and Carl Solomon.

Now his relationship with Carl Solomon was a platonic relationship but also deeply spiritual. The other thing about the gay aspect of it that’s so exceptional for its time and even our time is while it is a declaration of gay sexuality, it’s treated as just a part of the entire continuum of sexuality.”

“It was something Allen talked about when he talked about Howl,” added Fried-

man. “He talked about his coming into his own sexuality as part of his coming to terms with his voice as an artist.”

“We also try to show in the film how each of three men—Jack Kerouac, Neal Cassady and Peter Orlovsky--were very important to him and have some reflection in Howl,” continued Epstein. “He used them to interpret the different kinds of love in his life.”

More important, even in these current times of teabaggers and Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell, Epstein and Friedman found a very cooperative Hollywood community supporting them in the production of the movie.

“We shot the entire film in 14 days. That aspect went really fast,” said Epstein.

“It was a matter of finding the actors we wanted to work with and handing them the material,” says Friedman. “As it also turned out, there was a lot of overlap. There was a lot of material they responded to. They might have had some connection to the Beats. There was also free speech.”

“It’s the first project we had this kind of support from Hollywood,” continued Epstein. “We’ve also been very lucky. Even if we didn’t get the kind of support many films get out of Hollywood, our films have received a lot of honors from Hollywood. The Times of Harvey Milk got an Oscar in 1984. That was a very courageous thing for Hollywood to do at that time. Then there was our film Common Threads in 1989. We’ve gotten a lot of support and encouragement from Hollywood. With Howl, it’s the first time where the industry, embraced the making of it.”

“I think the subject we chose is something that arose in the culture of the moment,” Friedman added. “We seem to be able to discuss things in a way that people want to hear. It doesn’t feel like that’s where the struggle is. The struggle seems to be getting any film made. “ As for the future, Epstein and Friedman aren’t quite ready to say that’s their next project, although IMDB states their next project is entitled Lovelace, and concerns the trials and controversy about former porn star Linda Lovelace.

“As they say in Hollywood, talk is cheap,” Epstein explains bluntly.

Until then, Howl is playing at Coral Gables Art Cinema.

27

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Theatre Feature

pioneer wife who longs to move back to Virginia.

Dan Leonard adds comic relief in the second act Play: Cane as an off-the-grid photographer. Mooring sucCane runs through November 28 at Florida Stage, at ceeds in both roles, although her Zora is a more the Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center in West Palm fully realized character.

Beach. For tickets and more information, call 561-585The sprawling, dry-as-sand set by Richard 3433 inside Palm Beach County and 800-514-3837 Crowell fits Cane’s first act, and shows the pooutside Palm Beach County, or visit FloridaStage.org. tential of Florida Stage’s new home in the Rinker Playhouse of the Kravis Center. The sound by Matt Kelly and lighting design by Suzanne M. Jones is excellent, bringing the feel of a South Florida storm inside the building.

Rosendorf seems to nail the desolation and pioneer spirit of Florida in the early 20th century.

His characters have an authenticity to them. His dialogue here is excellent, full of the everyday poetry and lyrical rhythms from people of that era.

By Mary Damiano Unfortunately the interesting situations he sets up in the first act remain unfulfilled in the second he desire for land, to dream of building a better life now and leave a legacy for future act. Perhaps the second act takes place too many generations, and the nurturing and destruc- generations after the first, perhaps it would have been better to keep the entire play a period piece. tive power of water are the themes of Cane, the new The second act feels as unrealistic as the first act play by Andrew Rosendorf, now making its world feels authentic, and that shift is too jarring. Worst premiere at Florida Stage in West Palm Beach. of all, the most interesting thing that happens in Rosendorf, who relocated to South Florida several the second act is a story told to us in a lengthy years ago to work at Florida Stage, was approached monologue by Zora (Mooring) Harriett’s greatby artistic director Louis Tyrell to write a play about Florida. The catalyst was a statement that Palm Beach granddaughter. When the most memorable part County had only 21 days of water left. Rosendorf was of the second act is something the audience has been told, not shown, there’s a problem. fascinated by the idea that a peninsula could have a As is true with many world premiere plays, water shortage and began researching water and its Cane remains a work in progress, requiring special place in Florida’s history. Cane was born. rewriting and refining to become a fully realThe title has a double meaning, referring to both hurricanes and sugar cane, which was planted in the Belle ized play.

Glade area of Palm Beach County in the 1960s. Rosendorf exploes both meanings of his title to some extent.

The first act of Cane is set in Belle Glade in 1928, on the eve of a great hurricane. Farmer and store owner Eddie Wilson (Gregg Weiner) is a diligent and smart businessman, who works hard to support his wife, Ruthie (Julie Rowe) and their four children.

He is a good man, as he himself says several times, kind-hearted and fatherly to pregnant Harriet (Trenell Mooring) a member of the black family who works his land. During a drought, he makes a deal to buy the land of destitute neighbor Noah Brooks (David Nail) but when the rain comes the next day, Noah reneges on the deal, leaving Eddie with new debt and new resolve to get back what’s his. The second act picks up in present day Belle Glade with the descendants of the characters already presented, with old feuds and family history cropping up and wreaking havoc.

Each of Cane’s five actors plays dual roles. Weiner commands the stage in the first act as pioneer Eddie Wilson, and is especially terrific in his adversarial scenes with Nail, who also turns in a top-notch performance. Rowe is best as Ruthie, Eddie’s hard as nails

Cane Makes World Premiere at Florida Stage

T

Gregg Weiner and Julie Rowe in Cane

28

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Dining Review Restaurant: The Manor

The Manor Re-Invents its Dining Experience

By Elliot Joseph

L

ast year, when the Manor opened on Wilton Drive, its restaurant was slammed by customers excited by the popular new venue, which has now, nearly a year later, become a staple of Wilton Drive.

Says Brett Tannenbaum, co-owner with Paul Hugo: “As we settle in, we continue to try to improve and respond to our clientele’s needs and desires. I think you will see our new menu has struck a positive chord with the community.”

The Manor’s bar and dance club, with its huge central auditorium, has already hosted film festivals, comedy events, political forums, house shows, and guest entertainers. It has also featured an upscale dinner menu, which was recently refined and‘re-invented.’ If you remember the old Martinson Coffee TV commercial, where someone seeks out a great cup of coffee, the character comes on saying: ‘Greetings, pilgrim, your search has ended.’

Of the new and updated menu at the Manor, we can now say, ‘Greetings, pilgrim, your search has ended.’ After enjoying a cocktail or glass of wine at the full service bar, find a table and enjoy any of a wealth of dinner appetizers spanning a variety of cuisines, from the Cuban Flatbread, layered with tender slices of ham, roast pork, mustard, and Swiss cheese, to the rosemary panseared scallops, served on a sea of mixed greens, with juicy chopped tomatoes. And all kinds of sliders, from chicken to angus to a bbq melt-in-your-mouth meatloaf creation.

The cross-section of appetizers also includes spicy chili-rubbed salmon strips served with a creamy BBQ dressing, or marinated Korean style short ribs, with distinct and unique cusabi coleslaw. Maybe a little too chewy, but that can be remedied. The scallops, tamed with a touch of teriyaki, on the other hand, were both sweet and succulent.

There is something for everyone on the predinner menu, including sugarcane skewered beef tenderloins served with grilled pineapple, to my own favorite, the baked golden

brown blue crab mac-n-cheese.

If you are looking for a main course that features salads, there are a potpourri of tasteful choices, from the healthy Spinach Boca salad, with almonds, goat cheese, strawberries and mandarin oranges to the hefty BBQ Chicken Chop salad, served in a blissful delight of cilantro, black beans, jicama, tomatoes and tortilla strips.

At a table of five, we sampled a plethora of delightful main courses, and each of us found a favorite, with one clear winner. The Chilean Sea Bass on top of couscous was as fine and tempered as the best seafood restaurant in town. Pounded thin and coated with Italian bread crumbs, the chicken Milanese was served under a light fruity salad, a portion so generous, there is a guaranteed lunch-for-tomorrow in tonight’s dinner. If you are a pasta lover, the choice is clearly the Cajun Chicken pasta, served with roasted garlic in a light, creamy sauce tossed with fettuccini, so you don’t walk away feeling guilty. A homemade cooking kind of guest?

Then Mama’s meat loaf is for you, served, of course, with mashed potatoes and brown gravy. So your new dining experience features a rainbow of choices.

The fun part of dining at the Manor is the bar is readily available to you, so the meal can be enhanced with one of the establishment’s signature martinis, such as the Raspberry Lemon Drop, made with Grey Goose le Citroen, lemons and raspberries. I preferred the Grape Crush, splashed with 42 Vodka and Grape Pucker. For real hedonists, do we need to tell you what an Oreo Martini is other than to say even the glass is chocolate lined?

To dessert then, where the coffee bar as you enter from Wilton Drive entices you with at least a dozen pies and cakes coming in and out every day. But there is one totally decadent and self indulgent splurge you must lustfully plunge into- the Manor Smore, a crushed graham cracker topped with a soft and mouth watering chocolate brownie, roasted marshmallows- and demand some vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup on top of it.This is epicurean ecstasy, and a commanding way to end your dining experience at the re-invented Manor, 2345 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.

Next week, the venue will also be hosting, on November 9, a benefit for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation Please join co-sponsor SFGN there for a wonderful evening, so bring your appetite, and an extra napkin for your smores.

29

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Tony Adams

Skip My Crash Course – Take Mike’s Master Class

By Tony Adams

O

n Sunrise Boulevard in my Smartcar, I was struck by a large truck driven by an unlicensed youngster making an ill calculated U turn that swung wide, smashing into my driver’s side door. I had no time to steer away from the collision that shoved me onto the curb and did a significant amount of damage to my protective Smartcar that kept me intact but shaken.

What followed was the usual drama of police, paramedics and tow trucks played out before an audience of rubberneckers particularly interested in seeing how a Smartcar would react to a belligerent truck. The weeks that followed constituted a “crash” course in auto repair, insurance coverage, rental procedure and service contracts.

Three months later, I was eager for the opportunity to review my experience with Michael Minutillo, the founder and owner of Master Auto Body located at 825 NW 61st Street in greater Fort Lauderdale.

The owner of two additional auto repair shops (Boynton Beach and Delray Beach), Mike has been in business since 2005 with 32 years of South Florida experience in all aspects of automobile repair. His expertise qualifies him as an I-CAR (Inter Conference Automotive Repair) instructor who teaches a series of 70 classes for mechanics seeking I-CAR gold certification. ICAR is an international, not-for-profit organization delivering technical training programs to professionals in all areas of the collision industry. I wish I had met Mike before or following my accident. He understood the trauma.

“There is big anxiety involved when you have a collision because this doesn’t happen to you every day. On average, you’ll have a fender-bender once every 7 years. We handle it start to finish for you. A good auto body shop not only takes care of the car but more importantly takes car of its driver. Fixing the collision damage is just one part of the service we provide. We are a “direct relationship” repair shop for many insurance companies. This

means that we can handle everything that will be involved in restoring both car and driver.”

When I mentioned my distrust of the repair process, Mike concurred.

“Look, there are huge opportunities for dishonesty. And I don’t mean just the insurance companies, attorneys and mechanics, but also some of the consumers. Some people feel that cheating is built into the system.

In my shops, honesty is important. We give it and we get it back from our customers. I really love my customers. Without them, I’m nobody.”

Speaking of customers, I wondered how Mike, who is straight, married and the father of two, relates to his gay clientele and if he anticipated them when selecting the location for his third and newest shop.

“I had a good idea of the demographics when I chose to open the Fort Lauderdale shop. I have great respect for my gay clients. They are good and funny people, and very smart. I am very happy to be here.”

Mike laughed when I mentioned the classic gay stock erotic fantasy of the hunky auto mechanic in an open jumpsuit. To his credit, when I asked him if any of his employees are gay, he had to think for a while before concluding that he did not know for sure. “Gay” seems to be a non-issue in Mike’s idea of a workplace.

“I think I have the greatest employees in the world. I’m blessed. I don’t think I have any “out” employees, but I am absolutely open to hiring LGBT people. I’m always looking for good people.”

Mike’s interest in all things automotive goes back to his childhood in New York (He retains his Long Island accent) where he first started racing cars and cycles. This led to his interest in the repair work that became his career when he moved to Florida in 1978. When I mentioned that my father had raced stock cars and was an avid backyard mechanic and that I unfortunately do not seem to have inherited his instincts, Mike was sympathetic.

“It definitely skips a generation. My son has absolutely no interest in it at all.”

Focusing on the process that kicks into gear following a collision, Mike was adamant about this advice.

“The most important thing you can do is to choose a body shop before you need one.

Pick one that handles the whole process from beginning to end. Keep their card in your car or their number in your phone. The first thing that happens is that you report the accident to your insurance company. They take your statement. At Master Auto Body, we do the towing, we do the estimates and negotiating with your insurance company, we handle your car rental on site, we detail the car once it’s repaired and we keep you informed at every step of the process. We guarantee our work for as long as the customer owns the car. That’s how we shine.”

Mike had good things to say about my Smartcar and about German-made cars in general, which he feels are built for safety.

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“Cars today are different in that they are made today to hold up. All a consumer needs to do is check fluids. A car’s computer system does almost everything else. Many clients glaze over when I explain to them what is wrong with their car. Most clients just want to get their car back.”

Mike is interested in a clean Florida and is working to have all three of his shops certified “green”. He sees a strong local future for PEVs (plug-in electric vehicles) and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Meanwhile, he himself drives a new Ford Mustang 5.0 which he insists is not a mid-life crisis car, but an emblem of the American car industry at its best. OK, Mike, I trust your automotive judgment, but let’s compare mileage!

Master Auto Body is located at 825 Nothwest 61st Street in Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call 954-776-1990.

30

Central Bark

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Your One-Stop Pet Shop

By Joey Amato

D

riving on Dixie Highway, north of Oakland Park Boulevard, people may notice a building with a sign for Central Bark. This unique doggy daycare facility is quite deceiving. Despite being located on a busy road and modest sign, Central Bark boasts an astonishing 10,000 square feet of indoor space, in addition to 6,000 square feet of outdoor park-like space where clients can bring their dogs for a day or overnight stay.

Founded by Chris Gaba and Jackie Jordan in 2000, Central Bark has franchised to include an astounding 29 locations in seven states including Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Wisconsin.

“Our ultimate goal is to deliver the Central Bark experience to the millions of dogs throughout the country,” states Gaba, who together with his husband Robert, have two dogs of their own.

Customers immediately recognize the enormity of the facility upon entry. The sprawling campus consists of a large retail space, where customers can purchase everything from nutritional products to leashes to grooming products.

“We are definitely different from other doggy daycares in the area,” Gaba tells SFGN. “We’ve been doing this a lot longer than most and emphasize the importance of socialization and interaction amongst the dogs.”

When pets are brought to Central Bark, they are given a thorough assessment to analyze their temperament towards other dogs. If the staff determines the animal may be a threat to others,

they will refuse to house them. But once inside, Central Bark is a dog’s paradise.

All dogs at Central Bark have assigned play, nap and snack times, and are treated to aromatherapy and classical music.

“We offer a place where dogs can be dogs,” states Gaba. “People tend to treat their pets like surrogate children and place unrealistic expectations on them.” Gaba explains that many dogs were bred for a purpose, whether it be hunting, protection, or guiding. “When those activities are taken away from them, the dog may partake in a behavior that we view as bad, but in fact is natural to the dog.”

New customers to Central Bark are required to commit to at least one day per week at the facility on a scheduled day. The day is determined on the dog’s temperament, as Gaba groups like dogs together.

“Other facilities have dogs coming in and out all of the time. It’s really not a safe way to run a day care, as there is greater risk for health and aggression issues amongst the dogs.”

Pets must also be spayed or neutered.

All employees of Central Bark are put through a rigorous four-tier training program where they are taught how to deal with the many issues that may arise in their profession. In addition, the Central Bark staff is familiar with canine first aid, CPR and animal behavior.

Other services that Central Bark provides include Puppy Play Group, Doggy Birthday Parties, Veterinary Services, Doggy Salon and Obedience Training.

On a personal note, Gaba and his husband

BUSINESS

Central Bark owner Chris Gaba

Robert Baylis met in 1996 at a gym in Atlanta while Baylis was attending a convention.

“A gay gym is like a frat house. When a new guy comes along, everybody takes notice,” Gaba says jokingly. It was love at first sight and they have been together ever since.

The couple held a long-distance relationship for two years, but soon decided to relocate together to Fort Lauderdale, where they are the now proud parents of two children, Christian (20 months) and Cooper (7 months). The pair adopted through a company based in California called Growing Generations, which specializes in gay adoption.

“Being a parent is one of the hardest and most rewarding things we have ever done,” states Gaba. “As a gay man, you never think

you’ll have the opportunity to be a parent.

Robert and I feel so blessed.”

The couple has even enrolled the infants in swim lessons. “Seeing life through their eyes is really fascinating,” Gaba tells us. “They live in the moment.” Gaba refers to a recent holiday in Georgia where Christian was wideeyed from the change of environment.

As far as their four-legged children, Sophie and Taz, Gaba cannot be happier with the way the dogs have welcomed the babies.

“Sophie is so gentle to them. The babies adore the dogs.”

For more information, please visit CentralBarkUSA.com or call 954.568.3647.

31

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

The Mpowerment Project: New Location, Same Mission organize events, based on their interests.

Ruan Dixon is Chairman of the Core Group, the social aspect of the organization, and has had that role for two years. Like Menasche he started out as a member but came to have a leadership role with MPowerment.

“I oversee core group meetings which happen every Friday at 6:30 p.m. We decide on the activities we’re going to do in the upcoming week or month,” said Dixon.

The group has game nights, has visited local water parks, and museums. For Thanksgiving they are organizing a food

drive called “Food For Thought.”

“For every food donation of three food items we will give out one raffle ticket. Instead of a big Thanksgiving party we’re doing something to help the community, in this case we’re donating the food to Poverello,” said Dixon, who says that the group will have a “little pot-luck for the holiday”.

The raffle winner will receive a gift basket themed “Safe Sex in the Morning.”

The group will soon include on-site STD and HIV testing where gay men and bisexual men are encouraged to come with their partners, regardless of age or gender.

When asked where they would like to see the group in years both Traut and Menasche responded that they would like to see the group serve all men who have sex with men in our community, regardless of age.



By A. Sebastian Fortino

T

he MPowerment program recently received a grant from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) to move from their offices at Broward House, to a new location at 1224 NE 4th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale. They are a social networking, HIV-prevention and outreach group for men who have sex with men, ages 18-30.

“We promote a norm for safer sex through a variety of social, outreach, and small group activities,” said Robert Traut of Broward House, who is the Director of the program. “The MPowerment Project is the first documented HIV prevention intervention for young gay/bisexual men to succeed in reducing sexual risk behavior.

The program has been carefully developed, evaluated, and continually refined over the course of twelve years by prominent behavioral scientists from the University of California, San Francisco’s Center for AIDS Prevention Studies (CAPS), a leading-edge HIV/AIDS research institution.”

Traut is an active member of the gay and non-profit communities, as he is not only president of the MPowerment Project but also serves as a Board Member of the Church of the Holy SpiritSong. In 2010 he was awarded Mentor of the Year for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County.

Their new location allows for more space and gives the group their own identity in having a dedicated facility. The recently received grant from the CDC to facilitate the move was much needed. Petitioning the

CDC is a lengthy process, and the funds were only awarded this past October, one full year after their 2009 submission.

Jacques Menasche, Program Facilitator initially came to the organization as a member three years ago.

“Two years ago – when this position opened up I took over,” said Menasche. He was motivated to apply for position for all the good that the program puts out into the community. There is also a sense of family among members. “A few members spoke about applying for the job and the other members I spoke with thought I should apply for the position. This is my first time working with a non-profit, and I love it.”

Menasche previously worked for large organizations providing technical and administrative support.

“My partner and I felt really isolated from the gay community, because we had no other gay couples to communicate with about our issues as a couple.”

The approach is simple, in terms of getting people to come in and become active members of the group. People in need or at risk simply drop in and Menasche – or other representatives – listen to their needs.

“We try to focus on being a drop-in center,” says Menasche. “I simply sit back and listen and let them plan all of the events and activities.

All the time including the safer sex message.”

The activities are varied and will appeal to a wide demographic because their membership is very diverse and members work together to

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32

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

Crossword Puzzle

Down 1 Furnishings Across 2 Tickled pink 1 Sex at the end of a date, in slang 3 Prepare to become wife and wife 8 Appoints 4 Univ.

15 Barney Frank, frequently 5 Hot time for Colette 16 Bear’s fur?

6 What “let” means to Mauresmo 17 Church with the country’s largest 7 ___ Haute, Indiana gay congregation 8 Charles, who could make you a man 19 Baseball great Mel 9 Shakespeare’s “anon” updated 20 “Put roses on the piano and tulips 10 Sunblock letters on the ___” 11 First person in Berlin 21 Nonvulgar swearing 12 Take a trip with your first mate?

22 Get straight 13 Seaport of Italia 25 Canon camera 14 Places for commercial intercourse 26 Nobel physicist Bohr 18 In days past 28 Painter of ballerinas 23 Eastern title 30 Painter Matisse 24 Show Boat bundle 31 Location of 17 Across 26 Barber’s cry 35 Part of a Stein line 27 One-million link 37 Airborne Amelia 29 Big piece of meat 38 Stud site 30 Crowd at the gay rodeo?

41 Where they yell “Cut!” 32 Field of study 43 Fag hag on a date, perhaps 33 Ball or chase balls 44 Start fishing 34 Conveyance weight 45 Sheila of the California State As35 Same kind sembly 36 Coin of Foucault 47 Hawk-chicken difference 39 Part of DADT 48 Blow job and more 40 ACLU concern 49 BB propellant 42 _Hairspray_ scorer Marc 51 Third word of Katharine Lee Bates’ 44 Impressionist Mary “America” 46 Adjective for Abner 52 Designer of 17 Across 48 Metal container 59 Color purple 50 Gets up 60 Dinah of a golf classic 51 If ___ Walls Could Talk 61 Sphincter opening?

52 Dreadlocks feature 63 Infatuated with Mr. Right Now 53 Likely to break the condom, perhaps 64 What hangs over and sometimes 54 Excellent, in slang drips on you 55 Zeus, to Romans 65 The sound of music 56 Hurler Hershiser 66 Tommy’s gun 57 Bottoms’ description of tops?

67 Ancient erection 58 When doubled, Mork’s good-bye 68 Poet Kitty 59 Mag. leafs 62 Non-Judy garland See solution on page 38 On Your Knees

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

33

34

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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Island CIty PIZZa “Home of tHe original uncut pizza”

35

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

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36

November 3, 2010 • SouthFloridaGayNews.com

S P O R T S

SFTC Hosting Tennis Fun Day

T

he South Florida Tennis Club has announced they will be holding a “Tennis Fun Day” festival on Saturday, November 13th at the Dillon Tennis Center in Oakland Park. SFTC is a non-profit organization formed to develop and coordinate tennis activities for GLBT community and their friends in the South Florida area.

“The festival will be from noon to 3 p.m. and we have a lot of fun and interactive activities planned”, said Alan Holt, an SFTC board member who is coordinating the event. “We’ve arranged with the pros at Dillon to provide free lessons and clinics for players of all skills levels, beginner to advance. We’ll also have a court dedicated for anyone wanting to demo the latest racquets so they can find their perfect match. And those who want to put their skills to the test can try for some nice prizes at courts set aside for fastest serve and target hitting contests.” Holt noted that SFTC membership is not required and the event is open to anyone who is interested, “but we do ask anyone interested in participating in the free clinics portion to please register on our website in advance” he said. The clubs website is www.sftc.us.

According to SFTC President Bobby O’Dor, the Tennis Fun Day was conceived as a way to increase the visibility and profile of the club and to promote the game within the community. He noted, “although the club has been around for awhile, some people don’t know about us or they think you need to be an advanced player already, which is not the case.

The club has activities for all levels of players throughout the year.” He said he hoped the event would be a fun way for those interested to come out and meet the members and find out more about the club.

The club was started in 1987 by a group of local players who felt as though they were not as accepted in some of the regular leagues. “It was a different time then”, recalls Jim Cunningham, a local realtor who was one of the original members and is still active in the club today. “There were a handful of other gay clubs in the country in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

We knew most of them from traveling to play in their tournaments. We’d go to 5 or 6 tournaments a year and we took what we learned from those clubs to model our own club here. Our first year we had approximately 17 members”, he said. The club quickly established itself and began to host

its own tournament in 1990, before larger cities such New York or Washington D.C. had done so. It has grown steadily in the intervening years and now boasts a membership of 140 members. And what once was a loose confederation of a few clubs has evolved into the Gay and Lesbian Tennis Alliance (www.GLTA.net), which comprises 40 gay and lesbian tennis clubs across the globe.

SFTC’s tournament, which is now called the Clay Court Classic, is sanctioned by the GLTA. It is held in February each year and is one of the more popular tournaments on the GLTA circuit, drawing participants from around the world.

Judging from the list of activities it would seem the club has no problem keeping its 140 members busy. That list includes Spring and Fall “Ladder” seasons where players are divided by skill level and assigned to compete in two matches per month for four months. The term “ladder” is used because players climb up the play list by winning points as a result of their matches. Adrian Evans, who joined the club when he moved to Fort Lauderdale from Cincinnati last year, said he liked the Ladder format because the players themselves workout a mutually agreed time and place for their assigned

matches and this allows him to schedule around his working hours. “Plus, since we play two new opponents each month, it has been a good way for me to find hitting partners and make new friends. Being new to the area that that was really important to me”, he said.

Those who are more team minded can opt to join the “Team Tennis” competition in which teams comprised of 3 or 4 players of mixed skill levels compete against each other during an 8 week round robin. Also, each year the club sends teams to compete against the other GLTA clubs in Florida in events known as the Florida Cup and Sunshine Cup. The Florida Cup is an annual competition in which the top 16 players from the Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando and Tampa clubs compete against each other over one weekend in both singles and doubles. At the end of the weekend the team with most wins is recognized as the champion and takes possession of the coveted Florida Cup trophy. The Sunshine Cup is a similar competition but limited to players B level or lower. Both events were recently completed in Miami and Orlando respectively and both were won this year by Fort Lauderdale’s SFTC.